Theatre ⋆ Triko Cirkus Teatar

Triko Circus Theatre is a professional independent theatre company founded in 2011. However, Triko’s history stretches even further back; its origins are closely linked to several milestone productions that brought contemporary circus to the Croatian theatre scene.

Key Milestones:

2002: We Children from Zoo Station (Mi djeca s kolodvora ZOO) Premiering at ZKM and directed by Boris Kovačević, this production introduced “new circus” to Croatian theater in the fullest sense. Rather than using circus as a mere decoration, it utilized acrobatic silk as a stylistic and dramaturgical tool to tell a difficult story with striking impact. Iva Peter-Dragan, the future founder and artistic director of Triko, played the role of Kessi and served as the consultant for stage and acrobatic movement.
2009: Poppins Descending (Poppins silazi) Produced by Triko at ZKM as part of the Festival of New Circus, this was the first Croatian full-length contemporary circus production, directed by Dubravka Crnojević-Carić.
2012: The Nightingale (Slavuj) Written and directed by Lee Delong, this production marked the first Croatian full-length clown play. Featuring four clowns and three musicians, it was a hit with both audiences and critics. It represented Croatia internationally at the Croatia, la voici festival (France, 2012), Siguientescena (Mexico, 2012), European Theater Night (Belgium, 2013), and the Muscailt Art Festival (Ireland, 2013).
2013: Kaleidoscope (Kaleidoskop) Premiering at the Dubrovnik Summer Festival, this became the first contemporary circus performance ever showcased at Croatia’s largest international performing arts festival.

Through these significant “firsts,” Triko Circus Theatre paved the way for itself and many future collaborators. Over the past decade, the company has matured into a powerhouse with 30 productions, numerous collaborations, and tours across roughly 15 countries worldwide.

Two of its productions have become international award-winners:

Mistero Buffo: 7 awards to date.
Palunko’s Wife (Palunkova žena): 4 awards to date.

Domestically, Triko’s quality was recognized early on, receiving the Audience Award for Best Independent Theater in Croatia for the 2011/2012 season.

Triko’s Productions

Poppins Descending (2009)
Vita Min Show (2011)
Peanuts (Kikiriki) (2011)
The Nightingale (Slavuj) (2012)
Two and a Half Sisters (2012)
The Needle (Iglica) (2013) – Co-prod. with Mala scena
Kaleidoscope (2013)
Night of the Living Clowns (2013) – Co-prod. with University of Galway
Feydeau re mi (2014)
The Snow Queen (2014)
The Little Witch (2015) – Co-prod. with Mala scena
Black Petra (2016) – Co-prod. with Mala scena
Collectors of Darkness (2017)
Triola la la (2018)
Morana and Čupko (2018)
Mistero Buffo (2019) – Co-prod. with Kazalište Grupa
Palunko’s Wife (2019)
Reality is a Rehearsal (2020) – Co-prod. with Cirk pozor & UO Canta
Snow White (2021)
Forget About Dulcinea (2021) – Co-prod. with Cirk pozor & UO Canta
The Mmmaid (Šluškinja) (2022)
Komik Motion Show (2022) – Co-prod. with Luda kuća & Ivan Đuričić
Truckninjas (Kamionindže) (2023)
Internet Geniuses (2023) – Co-prod. with Google.org, Institute for Professional Development & Projektil Agency
Boredom Trap (2023) – Co-prod. with Split Youth Theatre (GKM)
Draft Cabaret (Propuh Cabaret) (2024) – Co-prod. with UO Canta
Komik Motion (2024) – Co-prod. with Teatar Exit & Ivan Đuričić
Bivouac (Bivak) (2024) – Co-prod. with Cirk pozor
Tour de monde or How to Travel the World (2025)
The Clown and the Star (2025)

Shows

Archive

Cirkus Express